There are ways to enjoy the holiday without adding a pant size or two. Erin Dolinski, clinical dietitian specialist for Beaumont Health, recommends starting Thanksgiving Day with a healthy, high fiber and protein meal to curb hunger and reduce chances of over eating at dinner time.

She suggested starting the day with a healthy omelet made with three egg whites, a half-cup of chopped broccoli and a half-cup of diced tomatoes. Pair the dish with some sliced strawberries and a piece of whole wheat bread. “This meal is low in calories and will curb your appetite,” she said.

If you’re the Thanksgiving chef, or bringing one of the disease, reduce the calories by exchanging white grains for whole wheat such as whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice. In addition, use low or fat free milk instead of whole, cut back on sugars by replacing with pureed prunes or unsweetened applesauce when baking. Fat free cottage cheese or non-fat plan Greek yogurt are good swaps for sour cream.

Another idea for the hostess/chef: “To enjoy sweets but cut down on calories, portion out desserts into mini-tart containers,” Dolinski said.

But if you still can’t resist the traditional high-fat, high-calorie dishes, limit your consumption to just that one day, said Tom Holland, author of “Swim, Bike, Run — Eat: The Complete Guide to Fueling Your Triathlon.” “It’s the one time of the year you should be able to eat what you want without counting calories. But it’s a good idea to plan activities both before and after dinner to burn off at least some of it,” notes Holland.

He suggests a fun football or soccer game with the whole family before the big turkey dinner. “It’s great bonding time for everyone and burns calories, which is especially good before you eat,” says Holland. In addition, he suggests going easy on calories (skip any extras like dessert and no second helpings) the day before and the day after (easy on those leftovers) to balance out the caloric overload.

Ideally, you want to try to burn more calories wherever you can both before and after the big event. This could include taking a class at your local gym; many offer Thanksgiving Day-themed classes with names such as Turkey Buster or Stuffing Buster.

Non-gymgoers can find local Turkey Trot races, usually 5k (approximately three miles) fun runs where friends, neighbors and family members participate in anticipation of the feast. But even walking helps.

Not interested in sports or exercise, but still want to promote activity? Dolinski recommends organizing a simple scavenger hunt for guests.

Overall, think of little ways to stay active during the day. Even standing while washing and drying the dishes burns more calories than watching football games or napping.